The central government offer students from minority communities free coaching for admission in various technical and professional courses like IT and business management. The other courses included in the scheme under the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for the welfare of minorities in India are medical, engineering and law, states the plan document of the ministry of minority affairs.

The scheme also covers competitive examinations for recruitment to government posts, including police, security forces, public sector undertakings, railways, banks and insurance companies.

Under a separate scheme, the central government also provides financial assistance to the poor and meritorious students belonging to minority communities to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses.

These schemes are aimed at empowering the minority communities, which are relatively disadvantaged section of society, by assisting them as well as those institutions working for them, towards enhancing their skills and capabilities to make them employable in industries, services and business sectors in addition to the government sector.

This is being done keeping in view the market dynamics on a continuous basis so that the target groups are not deprived of the professional acumen demanded by the changing market needs and opportunities for employment at domestic as well as international levels.

Candidates who seek scholarship or coaching at selected centres should have secured the requisite marks in the qualifying examination. Also only candidates belonging to the minority communities with a total family income from all sources not exceeding Rs.2.50 lakh per annum will be eligible for the various schemes.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launched the minority welfare programme in 2006 covering 15 aspects for immediate action. This is commonly known as the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme that includes enhancing opportunities for education.

For more details visit the minority affairs website:  http://minorityaffairs.gov.in/newsite/schemes/scholarship.asp or contact the EFI Advocacy Desk for any assistance in applying for the schemes. EFI Advocacy Desk can be reached by mail on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it